Economics Daily Spark Journal Entries

Stay up to date with your journal. Remember, I will be collecting these after every 10th journal entry!

Daily Spark Journal #1 - Shift Happens (9/4-9/5)

Explain how the information in the following clip could possible affect your future?

What surprised you the most about what you saw?

Daily Spark Journal #2 - The Price of the Presidency (9/6-9/9)

Few would disagree that the position of President of the United States is one of the most stressful jobs in the world. At the same time, does another job exist where you can influence more people on any given day?1. What are the COSTS and BENEFITS of the position of POTUS?2. If given the opportunity, would you want to be President? Explain.

Daily Spark Journal #3 - Freedom versus Safety? (9/10-9/11)

Use the attached article to answer the following questions:If forced to decide, do you believe that individual freedom for children is more or less important than personal safety? Explain.

Daily Spark Journal - Guns versus Butter (SKIP)

As the leader of a small developing nation, your resources are scarce and your options are limited. If you had to choose between providing a military for your people (guns) or providing an economy capable of producing consumer goods (butter), which would you choose and why?

Daily Spark Journal #4 - The Candy Bar Conflict (9/12-9/13)

Imagine there was one candy bar to satisfy the needs of a classroom of 30 students. The candy bar is clearly scarce. Create a list of methods that could be used to help determine who should get the candy bar. Then select the best method and explain why.

Daily Spark Journal - Costs of "Free" Healthcare (SKIP)

Do you agree with the statement,"Healthcare should not be about making a profit, it should be about helping people?" Explain your response. What may happen if you take the profit out of healthcare?

Daily Spark Journal - Free Healthcare Debate (SKIP)

Answer one of the following questions:1. Should the government pay for healthcare for all US citizens? Explain. Should the government pay for services like education, housing, and food for everyone? Explain.OR2. Have you or anyone you know ever had problems obtaining healthcare? Explain. In your opinion, how would you rate the healthcare system in the United States? How could it be improved?

Daily Spark Journal #5 - Into the Bomb Shelter (9/25-9/26)

Imagine that the United States is engulfed in a nuclear war. There is only room in the bomb shelter for 5 people. These people will be faced with rebuilding civilization. Create an argument for why your chosen future profession should be included in that bomb shelter.Then list the 4 other people or occupations that you would want to join you in the bomb shelter.

Daily Spark Journal #6 - Kids and Designer Duds (9/27-9/28)

Based on the short article attached, would you spend that kind of money on your children if you had the money to do so? Explain. What does this tell us about the society we live in? Is this kind of behavior harmful?Designer Children's Clothes Article

Daily Spark Journal Entry #7 - "Gotta Have It" (10/1-10/2)

What goods/services would you continue to buy even if the price drastically increased? (Hint: think of items you can't live without.) Make a list and identify which are luxuries and which are necessities.

In your opinion, what would happen if the price of gasoline increased to $10 per gallon? What changes would occur in society?

Daily Spark Journal #8 - Overpaid Celebrities? (10/12-10/15)

Do you believe CEOs, professional athletes, and celebrities are overpaid? Explain your answer.Explain how DEMAND and SCARCITY may play a role in the salaries of CEOs and celebrities.

Daily Spark Journal Entry #9 - Learn and Earn (10/4-10/5)

Should students be offered money as incentive to achieve higher grades and test scores? Explain.Do you believe this solution would work in raising achievement for the lowest level learners? Explain.What potential consequences might a program like that create?

Daily Spark Journal Entry #10 - Video Game Tax (10/8-10/9)

Read the attached article and answer the following questions:Do you believe this is a tax that could work in accomplishing its goal? Explain.Should the government play a role in changing human behavior, even if it's for their own good? Explain.

Daily Spark Journal Entry - Cow Tax (SKIP)

Answer the following questions based on the short video clip:1. Explain how this is an example of an excise (sin) tax.2. What are the potential tradeoffs of such a tax?3. Besides the examples given in class (alcohol, video games, etc.) what other good or service should have an excise tax?http://www.wivb.com/dpp/news/gas_tax_on_cows_20081210

Daily Spark Journal #11 - To Bailout or Not to Bailout? (10/16-10/17)

Do you believe that our government should help to bailout businesses that are in danger of going bankrupt? List 1 positive and 1 negative feature of government bailouts.

Daily Spark Journal #1 - Teen Unemployment (10/22-10/23)

Are there advantages to hiring a teen over an adult for a job opening? Explain. Why do you believe adults are generally preferred over young people?

Daily Spark Journal #2 - Underemployed (10/24-10/25)

We are all aware of Michigan's economic woes, as our state continues to be amongst the worst states for unemployment. Many are forced to acceot jobs that they are overqualified for. What are the dangers of having a nation where many people are doing jobs BELOW their skill levels?http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BNhbpI656ek

Daily Spark Journal #3 - The Health of an Economy (10/26-10/29)

In what ways can we judge the "health" of a nation? How do we know when a nation is being successful?

Daily Spark Journal #4 - Social Class in America (10/30-10/31)

Define the "American dream." Do you believe that every individual has the opportunity to live the "American Dream?" Defend your answer.

Daily Spark Journal #5 - The Minimum Wage (11/1-11/2)

Should minimum wage be raised? Explain.What are the potential consequences of raising minimum wage?

Daily Spark Journal #6 - The Message of the 99% (11/7-11/8)

Based on your research, do you believe that the 99% have a right to protest? Explain your opinion of the Occupy Movement.

Daily Spark Journal #7 - Gender Roles in the Workplace (11/13-11/14)

Do you believe there are specific jobs that are better suited for one gender? Explain. List those jobs.

Daily Spark Journal #8 - Equal Taxation? (11/26-11/27)

Federal income tax calls for the rich to pay more than lower income households. In your opinion, is this fair? Explain. What are the potential consequences of punishing the rich by taxing them more?

Daily Spark Journal #9 - Pork Barrel Spending (11/28-11/29)

Pork barrel spending refers to the "wasteful" spending on pet projects politicans hope to fund with federal tax dollars. Explain your personal opinions of such spending. Why do senators and representatives try to fund such projects?

Daily Spark Journal #10 - Debt Crisis (11/30-12/3)

As most of us are aware, our national debt continues to climb at an alarming rate. What are the dangers of a nation taking on such a large amount of debt?

Is this an issue that personally concerns you? Explain.

Daily Spark Journal #11 - You Make the Choice (12/4-12/5)

Our nation is in the difficult position of needing both economic growth and fiscal responsibility. We need to spend to encourage the economy but we need to cut to decrease the deficit.

If you were President Obama, would you choose more spending and fewer taxes or less spending and more taxation? Explain.

Daily Spark Journal - Outsourcing in America (12/12-12/13)

How important is it to you (and your family) to purchase American made products? Explain your response.

If you had to define the US economy, what would you say are our strengths?

Daily Spark Journal Entry #12 - Why Do We Trade? (12/14-12/17)

Even though the United States has the capabilities to produce most everything we need, we are still the world's largest importer of products.Why do nation's trade? Create a list of all possible reasons.

Daily Spark Journal Entry #13 - Where is Our "Stuff" Made? (SKIP)

Check the tags of the clothing you are currently wearing and make a list of the countries you find. Then list one positive aspect and one negative aspect of this reality.